Towards the implementation of breastfeeding-related health services in community pharmacies: Pharmacists' perspectives. 2017

Tin Fei Sim, and H Laetitia Hattingh, and Jillian Sherriff, and Lisa B G Tee
School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Electronic address: T.Sim@curtin.edu.au.

The scope of community pharmacy practice has expanded over the years. Pharmacists are now involved in the provision of a range of professional services. Pharmacists have regular contact with breastfeeding women, and are perceived as easily accessible, trusted health advisors. There is limited information on factors needed to be considered when implementing breastfeeding-related services in pharmacies to meet the needs of this population group. This study aimed to explore community pharmacists' perspectives on the implementation of breastfeeding-related services, the factors to consider and the required implementation strategies in community pharmacies. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 30 community pharmacists practising in Western Australian. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim to facilitate analysis. NVivo® Version 10.0 was used to aid organisation of qualitative data and thematic analysis. Responses to closed-ended questions were summarised using the descriptive approach. Participants' perceptions about their role in providing breastfeeding-related services in community pharmacies were generally favourable. Participants reported receiving regular enquiries from the public about the use of various medicines during breastfeeding, in particular non-prescription medicines. Most of their knowledge regarding the use of medicines in breastfeeding and breastfeeding in general was a culmination of day-to-day work experience, self-directed continuing professional development, personal or close-contact breastfeeding experience, and university training. Multifaceted efforts including public and professional education, research and development, and government initiatives were identified as essential to facilitate quality use of medicines in breastfeeding, and to increase pharmacists' support of breastfeeding women. Based on the needs and demand, appropriate training and continuing development is warranted so that pharmacists are well-equipped with knowledge regarding the use of medicines in breastfeeding, and breastfeeding in general. There appear to be opportunities for pharmacists to expand their professional services and contribute towards improved care and support of breastfeeding women at primary care level.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010353 Patient Education as Topic The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs. Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D010465 Perception The process by which the nature and meaning of sensory stimuli are recognized and interpreted. Sensory Processing,Processing, Sensory
D010594 Pharmacies Facilities for the preparation and dispensing of drugs. Community Pharmacies,Pharmacy Distribution,Community Pharmacy,Distribution, Pharmacy,Distributions, Pharmacy,Pharmacies, Community,Pharmacy Distributions,Pharmacy, Community
D010595 Pharmacists Those persons legally qualified by education and training to engage in the practice of pharmacy. Clinical Pharmacists,Community Pharmacists,Retail Pharmacists,Clinical Pharmacist,Community Pharmacist,Pharmacist,Pharmacist, Clinical,Pharmacist, Community,Pharmacist, Retail,Pharmacists, Clinical,Pharmacists, Community,Pharmacists, Retail,Retail Pharmacist
D001942 Breast Feeding The nursing of an infant at the breast. Breast Fed,Breastfed,Milk Sharing,Wet Nursing,Breast Feeding, Exclusive,Breastfeeding,Breastfeeding, Exclusive,Exclusive Breast Feeding,Exclusive Breastfeeding,Sharing, Milk
D003157 Community Pharmacy Services Total pharmaceutical services provided to the public through community pharmacies. Community Pharmaceutic Services,Community Pharmaceutical Services,Pharmaceutic Services, Community,Pharmaceutical Service, Community,Pharmaceutical Services, Community,Pharmacy Services, Community,Service, Community Pharmaceutic,Service, Community Pharmaceutical,Service, Community Pharmacy,Services, Community Pharmaceutic,Services, Community Pharmaceutical,Services, Community Pharmacy,Community Pharmaceutic Service,Community Pharmaceutical Service,Community Pharmacy Service,Pharmaceutic Service, Community,Pharmacy Service, Community
D004358 Drug Therapy The use of DRUGS to treat a DISEASE or its symptoms. One example is the use of ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS to treat CANCER. Chemotherapy,Pharmacotherapy,Therapy, Drug,Chemotherapies,Drug Therapies,Pharmacotherapies,Therapies, Drug
D005260 Female Females

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